James Patterson on Creating Happy Readers

This blogger will have the pleasure of meeting James Patterson in March, 2014 when I present at the Illinois Reading Council Conference.  I am so delighted to have this opportunity.  Here is a post about him and all his accomplishments.

James Patterson didn’t plan to become a famous children’s author. He wasn’t even a big reader when he was a kid, despite having a teacher for a mom and a grandmother who was a librarian.

“I didn’t read as much as I should have,” he admits. “I read what I had to.”

It wasn’t until college, when he could read what he wanted, that he grew to love books.  “I just couldn’t get enough. And it got me scribbling,” he says. “I really liked scribbling. I like telling stories.”

Patterson’s interest in children’s books traces back to when his son, Jack, was 8. Like his dad, Jack was a good student but a so-so reader. That summer, Patterson and his wife made a deal with Jack: He could skip some chores if he agreed to read every day. “Aw, do I have to?” Patterson recalls Jack saying. Jack’s parents told him they would help find books he would really like. “By the end of the summer, Jack had read a dozen books, 10 of which he thought were terrific.” 

He stresses to kids why reading matters. If you don’t read well, he says, “you’re going to be lost in high school. And what are you going to do in life? Be a pro athlete? A rapper?”  While that might sound good to some kids, the chances of it happening are slim. So that makes reading – and doing well in school – a big deal. “Reading will give you a lot of choices,” Patterson says.

Who or what inspires James Patterson?

The author says he has “a very active imagination” and keeps a folder full of ideas. At any time, he has 45 to 55 projects going, including movie scripts.

“I study, study, study” before writing, he says. “Then I write seven days a week . . . for five, six or eight hours a day.”

To hold readers’ interest, “I pretend ther’s a person sitting across from me, and I don’t want him to leave until I’m finished with the story,” Patterson says.  Because he’s not superhuman, many of his books have co-authors. “I’ll have an idea and will write an outline” of 60 to 80 pages, including ideas for drawings. The co-author writes the first draft, which Patterson checks often “to keep it on track.” Then he buffs up the final version.

His children’s books aren’t sugar-coated. There are kids with disabilities, kids without parents, kids being bullied.  “Yes, there is a dose of reality” in them, he says. “I think that’s good. These books are not softballs. Readers love them because they show kids taking responsibility for their own actions, for their own lives, at a young age.”

Patterson, who is 66, shows no signs of slowing down. “I am a crazy person, totally crazy,” he says. “ I can’t stop writing, and I can’t stop reading.”

Better Literacy? An Age Old Question

As parents and educators, we ask ourselves the question throughout our adult lives.  And if we had literacy problems as kids, we were highly aware of the problem but probably couldn't put a name to it.

When I was a new teacher of young children, my emphasis was on the ‘how-to’ part of the reading process.  It was more prescriptive driven that holistic.  By that I mean my aim was to make sure that my students could technically read, and I taught them the way I was schooled to do it.  And mercifully, most of them achieved.

But as I grew older and became a parent, a paradigm shift occurred within me. Teaching reading is not only a technical thing.  What I was neglecting was the heart of the matter.  Literacy is about love.  Love of the printed word.  Wonder at what happens when one opens a book.  Anticipation at what lies ahead.  How can we achieve that magic today?

Modeling the love of reading to our young ones is the most powerful emotional literacy tool we have. It’s good to have a group of age appropriate books readily available.  Try to locate them in a place of importance, by a sofa in the family room, in the bedroom or the kitchen.  That ‘pride of place’ will rub off on the kids!

When I taught pre-service teachers, I emphasized ‘reading the room.’  Do the same for your little ones.  Label their belongings, not just in their rooms but all over the house.  Alphabet magnets are wonderful, particularly at their reaching level.  Make your home one of written words.  The safety children (should) find there, coupled with the richness of words wherever they look will do wonders for making reading a skill, a skill that exudes warmth and coziness.  No room for failure in such an environment.

Let’s not forget the tools for writing and drawing.  Manipulating crayons, pencils and waterproof markers is crucial in learning to hold the tool properly.  Those squiggles soon turn into primitive letters which lead to the magic of words.  Their imaginations and creativity will take over, leading the way to literacy.

Illinois Reading Council Conference Logo

Be a teller of stories.  Nothing fascinates a child more than hearing their adult loved one talk about a time when s/he was not there.  Or a world the story teller is spinning.  Or an animal that talks.  Or…whatever.  Listening is part of literacy, and listening to a person they love and respect is the cherry on top!

These are but a few suggestions for turning your child’s fertile mind into a blooming garden.  It’s so easy, so nurturing, so crucial.  If we can put as much importance on the love of all things literacy as we do on sports, video games, and television, our children will be the winners.  And we will have been the ones to take them to such achievements.  That, of course, is the best gift we as caregivers and teachers can give to any youngster.  It will change their lives forever.

Illinois Reading Council Conference, 2013-A Rich Experience

All I can say is wow!  The Illinois Reading Council Conference organizers outdid themselves this time.  Each year I look forward to the conference held in Springfield, Illinois each mid-March.  But this time, it was a true embarrassment of riches.

During this annual event, nearly three thousand teachers, librarians, authors, publisher representatives and others gather for what is always guaranteed to be a rich and meaningful experience.  Last week was no exception.  The list of keynote speakers reads like a who's-who of authors and illustrators that influence children the world over. 

Avi

Avi has written over sixty books for children in his varied career.  He is at work on another novel for kids.

Pam Muroz Ryan

Pam Muroz Ryan is the author of more that thirty books for young readers, including four novels, Riding Freedom, Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi León, and Paint the Wind, along with countless accolades, the Pura Belpré Medal, the Jane Addams Award, and the Schneider Family Award.

 Eric Rohmann is an author/illustrator who won the Caldecott Award for his illustrations of the book My Friend Rabbit..  Eric has created book jackets for a number of novels, including His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman.

Nancy Stewart and Eric Rohmann

 He won a Caldecott Honor Book award for Time Flies. Eric has written four children's books: My Friend Rabbit, The Cinder-Eyed Cats, Pumpkinhead, and A Kitten's Tale.

For four different books published 1975 to 1980, Katherine Paterson won two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. She is one of three people to win the two major international awards: for "lasting contribution to children's literature" she won the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 1998.  

  

Nancy Stewart and Katherine Paterson

 For her career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense", she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2006, the biggest prize in children's literature.  In 2013, Paterson won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the American Library Association.

These luminaries are but a few of the artists that can be found at the IRC conference each year.  It is entertaining, academic and uplifting.  Thank you, Ilinois Reading Council!

Chapter Book Series-A Great Tool to Teach Your Students!

I have just finished attending the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, IL.  It was a glorious three days, filled with wonderful speakers, fresh ideas and inspiring authors.  

My presentation this year was titled The Magic of Using Chapter Books Series in Your Classroom.  It was fun and rewarding to put together and present.  Below are a few of the books I showcased within my power point.  I hope you enjoy the selection.

The Magic School Bus series is fun for elementary age school kids.  It deals with several topics, including science made fun.  The books cover germs, magnetism, space, bats, bones, sharks and more.

The Stephen and Lucy Hawking Books area a terrific science series as well.  Physicist Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy have written some adventure stories for children. They are based around a character named George. The books are probably best for 3rd grade to 8th grade readers. 

 In these books, kids will be exposed to scientific concepts about physics, space and the universe. The books are George's Secret Key to the Universe, George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt, and George and the Big Bang.

  The Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows is a favorite of the younger elementary school crowd.   This imaginative series features two little girls who  are so different but prove that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other.


Andrew Lost by J. C. Greenburg is a series of chapter books that is appropriate for all elementary school ages. The books follow the adventures of a young scientist named Andrew, his cousin Judy and his robot Thudd.  
                                                                            

Gary Paulsen--A Master Survivor of Survival Tales

Some may think he's rough around the edges, or even, dare I say, a bit crude?  Perhaps.  His genius, however, is something to behold in books such as Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room, all three of which were Newbery Honor Books.


Gary Paulsen
Illinois Reading Council Conference
March 17, 2012

His books frequently appear on the best books lists of the American Library Association. Who am I referring to? Why, Gary Paulsen, of course.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Paulsen at the Illinois Reading Council Conference in March, 2012, where we were both speakers.  A true character he is, with some good reasons.

Born in Minneapolis in 1939, Mr. Paulsen had no formal education after the age of fourteen when he ran away from home to join a circus. ( I've thought for years that incident sounded like a book in itself!) 
 Paulsen had a generally rough childhood with alcoholic parents.  He did not meet his father until the age of nine because of World War II.

 He worked on a farm as a youth, worked as an engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor.  He also had done two rounds of the 1,180-mile Alaskan dog sled race, the Iditarod. 

Paulsen's realization that he would become a writer came suddenly when he was working as a satellite technician for an aerospace firm in California.

He spent the next year in Hollywood as a magazine proofreader, working on his own writing every night. He left California and drove to northern Minnesota where he rented a cabin on a lake. By  winter's, he had completed his first novel.  The rest, as is said, is history.

In listening to his speech at the conference this past spring, I was struck by how every nugget of our lives becomes the true fodder for our books.  Mr. Paulsen's early life was one of constant striving for survival.  It only follows, then, that he is a master of the survival tale.  Kudos to him for surviving and sharing his gift with the world.

Nancy Stewart Presenting at Illinois Reading Council Conference

It is my distinct pleasure to be a presenter for the second year and a featured author at the Author's Luncheon at the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, Illinois, March 15 to 17.  I'd like to thank the organizers publicly for this honor.

The title of this year's conference is:  Literacy in the Land of Lincoln.  It should prove to be another successful event where teachers, librarians, authors, editors and publishers come together for the greater good of children's reading, from enhancing their skills to pleasure in enjoying their favorite books.

The title of my presentation for Friday, March 16, is: Kids Can (Write a Picture Book!).  I will present a power point and discuss how kids can plan, research, write and assemble their own picture book and have fun in the doing! 

Nancy Stewart and Jane Yolen
IRC Booth, 2011

Several of my writers' critique group, Bookends, will again organize and run the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) booth.  I look forward to seeing what visual treats are in store for us this year!

A Giant Called Jane

This weekend at the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, I met a giant.  She was frightening only in her gravitas and great gift as a poet and writer.  Her books are three hundred strong and cover the gamut of genres from poetry to children's books to her new graphic novel.

Yes, the giant can only be Jane Yolen, and it was my honor and privilege to meet and have the opportunity to talk at some length with her.  She spoke of poetry, her home and her husband who  died five years ago.

One would never know this tiny person, this literary giant who has helped stitch together pieces of the American fabric like a consummate quilter, could be so funny, warm and caring.  But she is.

I know we've all read of Ms. Yolen's mega-accomplishments, among which are the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards and two Christopher Awards, to name but a very few.  And I know we have been touched by her significant works such as The Devil's Arithmetic and Owl Moon.  And, of course, so many many more.  But when she was asked which book was her favorite, she answered, "The one I'm working on now.  The others are in the past.  This one is in the present."

I have a suspicion this is how giants succeed.  Never looking back at past laurels.  Always forging on, setting goals and accomplishing them.  And never forgetting who they are and what their purpose is in life.

Yes, Jane is first among equals as far as giants go.  For me, meeting her was monumental.  Oh, and I look forward to her next three hundred books.

Power Point Presentation Now Available On My Web Site for Illinois Reading Council Conference

Trailer for "One Pelican at a Time"

I am presenting a talk to the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, IL on March 17, 2011.  I've made Power Point slides to augment the presentation which is titled, Literacy Through Green Colored Glasses-Picture Book Activities to Help Kids Save Their Planet.  There are some great activities for children to do, all the while empowering them to care for and nurture their planet and have fun at the same time!

I'm making the slides available here and on my web site:

http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/IRC/LiteracyGreenColoredGlasses.ppt. 

http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/  

It is my hope they may be useful to teachers, librarians or anyone else who would like to show them in pursuit of a greener and healthier earth.

My children's picture book. One Pelican at a Time, is now available through:  http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, http://www.indiebound.org/ and http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

One Pelican at a Time is the first US children's book to address the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of April 20,2010.  The book features Bella and Britt and their heroic efforts to save their friend, the old crooked beak pelican, whom they've known all their lives. 

An author's page gives facts about the spill as well as some green tips on how to save energy and make us less dependent on fossil fuel.  Britt and Bella lead us all by example. 

Britt, Bella, Pelican and I will be on tour virtually all over the blogosphere in April and May, with Pump Up Your Book.  Please watch for dates!